Humanoid Robot to Go on Sale in Japan Can Recognize 10,000 W

Post Reply New Topic

yay, err ya, thats all we need, robots with no feeling tending to our children someday.


http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBUHN61ZCE.html

Humanoid Robot to Go on Sale in Japan Can Recognize 10,000 Words, Work as House-Sitter
The Associated Press
Published: Aug 29, 2005

TOKYO (AP) - A 3-foot-tall humanoid robot that can recognize about 10,000 words and work as a house sitter will go on sale in Japan in September, its manufacturer said Monday.
The "Wakamaru" robot can recognize the faces of up to 10 people and talk to them. When linked to cell phones, it can also monitor situations at home, such as a burglary or someone falling ill, according to Mitsubishi-Heavy Industries Ltd.

It said it would be the first time a robot with communication ability for home use has been sold.

"This is the opening of an era in which human beings and robots can coexist," it said.

Mitsubishi-Heavy said it will start taking orders for "Wakamaru" from Sept. 16, and plans to sell 100 of the 66-pound robots at about $14,300 for residents in central Tokyo.

The owner's schedule can be programmed in advance and Wakamaru can give a wake-up call and remind them of the day's events.

So when it sees an 11th person does it freak out and go into "killing spree" mode?

Nah. It forgets the face of the first person it remembered. Then when dear, old dad comes home, it calls the police on the unknown intruder.